This is how life should be. See The Alarm on Tuesday, see Mike Peters and raise money to fight cancer on Thursday and see The Alarm on Saturday. I don't know about anyone else, but that sounds like a damn good week to me.
For those fortunate enough to live in New York (as well as some of us who have been relegated to New Jersey), that was what our week was like. The last of three Mike Peters/Alarm shows came on Saturday at the Union County Musicfest, which this year was relocated to Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ.
The one thing that wasn't new with the new location was the crappy weather that seems to follow this festival on a yearly basis. Last year, the event was cancelled midway because of torrential all-day rains that started just after Mike had finished his set with an orchestra. Maybe the music gods realized that was going to be the highlight of the day and dumped several inches of rain on us. This year, it was supposed to be sunny. Instead, it was raining when The Alarm began playing and it actually intensified a bit as the show went on. Maybe it's a nice effect during Rain in the Summertime, but can we get some sun next year for once? Either that or I need to get windshield wipers for my glasses.
OK, rant over. Musically, the band sounded great. The sound was very full and all FIVE members of the band were going after it for the hour-plus they were on stage. Yes, I said five. No, I had not been drinking. Keyboard player Mark Taylor joined the band for this gig and was fantastic, bringing back some memorable sounds, especially during Walk Forever, where it was just him and Mike. Really great stuff.
Ironically, James said after the show that it all sounded like crap onstage. I'm not all that sure why (as I said in a previous post, I'm no tech or sound guru), but the sound that was getting thrown back at them apparently was nothing like what we were hearing because I thought the band sounded quite good. Have to give credit to Ollie for that. There was energy and power and Mike was exhorting everyone to cheer louder and jump onboard for the ride after every song.
The setlist was a mix of more old than new. The last three albums were represented by five songs and classic Alarm was the other 11. Loaded seems to be working its way into the rotation, as it was played again on Saturday. Same goes for The Alarm Calling. It seems to be on the setlist more frequently these days.
There was at least one bizarre moment during the show. During, I believe, Spirit of 76, Mike emphaticallly slammed the mic stand down on the stage to punctuate one of the lines. Except, apparently, mic stands are being made in third world countries these days. The pole with the microphone perched in its holder kind of lurched at Mike when he went to sing the next line. He spent the rest of the song trying to adjust it and get it straight up, but it would not cooperate. For a moment, I thought we were going to have a repeat of the Jenkinson's incident from last year when Mike inadvertently gashed the inside of his mouth after an unfortunate collision with the microphone. Fortunately, bloodshed was avoided and the mic stand was fixed after the song, with Mike saying "I guess they don't make mic stands the way they used to." Apparently not.
One of the best parts of the day for me was the amount of people who came out to the show. This event tends to bring out a LOT of Alarm fans. Tampa Matt and Tampa Jen were back for their second show in three days (it pays to plan ahead). Kelly was there taking pictures of everything and everybody. Crystal was there with her new baby, who she was pregnant with last year. And she's back to being tiny. Her son is adorable AND really good-natured. But I didn't catch his name. Anyone? He didn't cry once and he was down near the front when the band came on. I also got a chance to have an extended conversation with Dietmar, Michele's fiance. He's a very cool guy and I'm sure they will be happy together after the nuptials in April. I'm sure I'm missing others. Feel free to point out that you were there below. I actually got a picture from behind of a little girl holding her hands in the air during blaze of Glory. That child is being raised right.
On to the setlist... Marching On Where Were You Hiding? (It's good to not have to worry about a ceiling when you're letting those cards fly) Loaded Absolute Reality Drunk and Disorderly (with a well done keyboard intro from Mark) The Stand The Alarm Calling Rain in the Summertime (it started raining heavier while this was being played) Superchannel Strength Walk Forever By My Side Spirit of 76 Rescue Me 45 RPM 68 Guns Blaze of Glory (encore)
This message has been edited. Last edited by: NYC Tim,
Nothing lasts forever is all they seem to tell you when you're young
Posts: 369 | Location: New York City | Registered: 12 May 2006
